Written Answers Thursday 8 January 2009

Scottish Executive

Access for Disabled People

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when an announcement will be made on the appointment of the convener and members of the new Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government recently completed an appointment round, and announced the appointment of the new convener and six new members of the Mobility and Access Committee on 19 December 2008. The appointments will run for a three year period commencing on 1 January 2009. Further appointments are expected to be made early in 2009.

Access for Disabled People

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are being made for the first meeting of the new Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland.

Stewart Stevenson: A meeting is expected to be held in late January 2009 subject to members’ availability.

Access for Disabled People

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how the convener and members of the new Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland will be inducted and assisted to take over from the previous committee.

Stewart Stevenson: The new members of the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland have all been informed that an induction day will be held in due course. As well as initial training, they will be made aware of governance issues in relation to non-departmental public bodies At the first meeting they will take cognisance of the previous committee’s legacy.

Access for Disabled People

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the convener and members of the new Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland will be given freedom to set their own agenda and work programme and, if so, what experienced staff they will have to support this.

Stewart Stevenson: The Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) is an advisory non-departmental public body and is able to determine its own priorities. It is supported by a secretariat which is based within the Scottish Government’s Transport Strategy Team. I intend meeting with the convener to discuss the MACS work programme in due course.

Access for Disabled People

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what budget the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland will be given to allow it to carry out its work programme and undertake research.

Stewart Stevenson: The budget for Transport Strategy and Innovation provides running cost support for the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland, Passengers' View Scotland, the regional transport partnerships and support for innovative transport solutions. The budget for 2008-09 is £6.6 million.

Cancer

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which areas of Scotland (a) make and (b) do not make sentinel node biopsy available to breast cancer patients.

Nicola Sturgeon: This specific information is not held centrally.

  However, Sentinel node biopsy for breast patients is already available routinely in some NHS board areas and training programmes are underway to make the service accessible across the other board areas during 2009.

Cancer

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when it expects to conclude a feasibility study of extending breast cancer sentinel node biopsy to the whole of Scotland.

Nicola Sturgeon: Better Cancer Care: An Action Plan stated that the Scottish Government together with the Regional Cancer Advisory Groups and NHS boards will explore the feasibility of sentinel node biopsy being made available across NHSScotland. The timetable for this work will be agreed by the new Scottish Cancer Taskforce which meets for the first time in January 2009.

  I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18879 on 8 January 2009. The service is already provided in a number of NHS boards.

  All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Central Heating Programme

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons there are no provisions in the central heating programme for the installation of LPG systems.

Stewart Maxwell: A working group of experts advised the last administration on which fuel types to include within the central heating programme, taking into account the efficiency of the systems and the costs of installing and running them.

Class Sizes

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, based on the legally enforceable class size maximum, what the average capacity of state schools is in 2008-09.

The Executive has supplied the following corrected answer:

Maureen Watt: The latest available information on the capacity of publicly funded mainstream schools (primary and secondary) comes from the school estates survey which was published in September 2008. In April 2008, the average capacity of publicly funded mainstream schools was 360. Information on the capacity of special schools was not collected. Guidance for authorities on determining school capacities was issued by the Scottish Executive in Circular 3/2004 and can be found on the Scottish Government website using the following link:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2005/01/20528/50013.

Communities

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many halls have received grant aid from the Local Capital Grants Scheme in each year since 1999, broken down by local authority.

Richard Lochhead: The Local Capital Grants Scheme (LCGS) was one element of the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund (SRPF). The Scheme closed to new applications in 2005. Details of the final round of SRPF, including £1.5 million for LCGS, can be viewed at the Scottish Government website http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Rural/rural-policy/16780/6512/Q/ViewArchived/ On Previous years’ awards were announced but it is not now readily possible to provide the breakdown requested. However, funding of around £1 million per year was committed, for a wide range of community facilities across Scotland, for the duration of the scheme.

  Currently funding for community facilities and services including village halls – up to £30 million over seven years - is available through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-13. Additional funding can also be accessed via the LEADER component of that programme.

Communities

Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many halls have received grant aid from the Local Capital Grants Scheme in each year since 1999, broken down by parliamentary constituency.

Richard Lochhead: The Local Capital Grants Scheme (LCGS) was one element of the Scottish Rural Partnership Fund (SRPF). The scheme closed to new applications in 2005. It is not now readily possible to provide the detailed breakdown requested. However, funding of around £1 million per year was committed to, for a wide range of community facilities across Scotland, for the duration of the scheme.

  Currently funding for community facilities and services including village halls – up to £30 million over seven years - is available through the Scotland Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-13. Additional funding can be accessed via the LEADER component of that programme.

Community Justice

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, following the announcement on 24 October 2008 by Kenny MacAskill MSP of £1 million additional funding to deliver speedier community penalties, how many additional staff it expects will be recruited in each local authority.

John Swinney: The £1 million of additional funding has been included in the allocations to community justice authorities (CJAs) for 2009-10 to achieve the desired outcome that offenders start their community service orders more quickly, and for orders to be completed in a shorter timeframe. Operational decision-making as to how best to deploy this funding to achieve this outcome based on local conditions, rests with the respective criminal justice social work departments of the local authorities in consultation with the area CJA.

Concessionary Travel

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider extending the national concessionary travel scheme to provide parity between buses and trains.

Stewart Stevenson: A review of the Scotland-wide Free Bus Travel Scheme for Older and Disabled People is currently underway. I expect to receive a final report of the review this month and shall consider its recommendations regarding any possible changes.

Consultation Exercises

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to develop the skills of service users with learning disabilities to assist them to participate more effectively in consultation processes.

John Swinney: It is for individual contracting authorities to determine how they engage with service users during their procurement procedures and to ensure that service users are able to participate effectively in consultation processes.

  In implementing The same as you?, local authorities and their partners have developed a range of good practice in supporting people who use services and family carers to have a voice. This is further supported by the role of the Scottish Consortium for Learning Disability, which provides a range of training to support people to become more involved in decisions about their lives.

Council Tax

Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what flexibility is permitted with council tax banding in areas of regeneration.

John Swinney: There is no flexibility. Council tax bands are as set out in the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Debt Management

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with the Consumer Credit Counselling Service regarding the extension of its services to help people in debt.

Stewart Maxwell: I am aware of the work of the independent charity, Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS) and my officials are in regular contact with CCCS. They have had no proposals from, or specific discussions with, CCCS about extending its services.

Disabled People

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it is taking to support the re-establishment of a training course for rehabilitation workers for people with visual impairments.

Fiona Hyslop: Between 2004 until 2007 the Scottish Government provided Guide Dogs for the Blind £225,000 to develop a rehabilitation course in Scotland. I understand that Guide Dogs for the Blind have reached an agreement with Glasgow Caledonian University to run a two year training course for a class size of up to 15 students.

  The Scottish Funding Council will provide a block grant to Glasgow Caledonian University and funding for this course will be met from the block grant.

  It is not for the Scottish Government to instruct either the Scottish Funding Council or Glasgow Caledonian University on which courses the block grant should fund.

Enterprise

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the 2007-08 real-terms equivalent combined baseline budget is for Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland in the Highlands and Islands and the Business Gateway scheme in all local authorities in the Highlands and Islands for each year of the current spending review period.

John Swinney: No direct budget existed for Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in 2007-08 and the contribution to this area from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) was held in its published budget. Decisions on programme spend within the Highlands and Islands are an operational matter for SDS.

  There is currently no Business Gateway service in the Highlands and Islands and therefore there is no baseline budget in HIE. The Scottish Government, COSLA, Highlands and Islands local authorities and HIE are currently discussing introducing the Business Gateway there but local authorities have not yet finalised their individual plans for the new service. Once agreement is reached about the overall transfer of funding, it will be for COSLA and Highlands and Islands local authorities to discuss how such funds are to be distributed amongst the local authorities.

  The overall real terms budgets for Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Skills Development Scotland are:

  

 
2007-08
(£ million)

2008-09 
(£ million)
2009-10 
(£ million)
2010-11 
(£ million)


 Highlands and Islands Enterprise
 89.0
 73.3
 69.75
 67.98


 Skills Development Scotland
 0
 170.75
 168.51
 157.97

Fire Safety

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people have been admitted to hospital following fires that can be attributed to electrical safety failures in each year since 1999, broken down by (a) local authority area and (b) hospital.

Kenny MacAskill: The information requested is not held centrally.

Fire Safety

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what agency is responsible for collating and publishing fire accident statistics where the cause has been attributed to electrical safety failure.

Kenny MacAskill: The Scottish Government Statistical Bulletin, Fire Statistics Scotland , provides a detailed overview of Scottish fire statistics. The detail includes "fires by cause" one of which is "Faulty Appliance and leads". The latest bulletin, Fire Statistics Scotland 2006 , published in April 2008, a copy of which is available in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 45584).

Fisheries

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has estimates of the annual numbers of farmed salmon predated by seals.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government does not gather this information. The number of farmed salmon killed by seal predation can vary significantly from year to year. However, the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation estimates that in excess of 500,000 salmon are predated annually by seals.

Further and Higher Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive on what basis the £7.5 million of accelerated capital spend for further and higher education will be distributed and which capital projects will benefit.

Fiona Hyslop: The basis on which the £7.5 million of accelerated capital spend for further and higher education will be distributed and the detail of which capital projects will benefit are operational matters for the Scottish Funding Council. I have asked the Scottish Funding Council to write to the member with this information.

Health

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to ensure that patients receive a routine vision assessment following a stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review SIGN guidelines to include the need for a routine vision assessment covering visual acuity, field and perception following a stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Nicola Sturgeon: SIGN Guideline 108, on the management of patients with stroke or TIA: assessment, investigation, immediate management and secondary prevention, published on 16 December 2008 deals with the early management of stroke or TIA, and focuses on aspects of immediate management, such as early assessment and imaging, thrombolysis and access to a stroke unit. It includes guidance on vision assessment immediately after stroke. NHS Quality Improvement Scotland is currently consulting on bringing its clinical standards for stroke services into line with SIGN guideline 108.

  We are also in the process of revising our CHD and stroke strategy, and received a number of consultation comments dealing with sensory impairments. There has been a particular emphasis on all aspects of rehabilitation following stroke, and the services people need to support them through the process of recovery once they are back in the community. We are considering how best to reflect these concerns in the revised strategy, which is due for publication in early this year.

  SIGN Guideline 64, on stroke rehabilitation, prevention and management of complications, and discharge planning, is being updated and is due to be published in November 2009. Guidance on vision rehabilitation is expected to be included and the evidence is currently being considered by the guideline development group.

  The revision of SIGN Guideline 46, on the early management of head injury, which is expected to be published in May 2009, does not include guidance on vision rehabilitation. A proposal for a SIGN guideline on rehabilitation after head injury has been accepted, but SIGN has not allocated a start date yet.

Health

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what provision is in place for visual rehabilitation by trained rehabilitation specialists for patients following a stroke or traumatic brain injury.

Nicola Sturgeon: Rehabilitation, including visual rehabilitation, for patients following a stroke or traumatic brain injury is provided by a variety of qualified professionals who work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including orthoptists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists and trained support workers, across both health and social care.

  Through the process of community planning, local authorities and NHS boards will work collaboratively to assess need and provide appropriate services to meet the needs of people requiring rehabilitation, including visual rehabilitation.

  £1.2 million funding has been provided to appoint rehabilitation co-ordinators in each NHS board. The co-ordinators will work across health and social care to support the implementation of the Delivery Framework for Adult Rehabilitation. The framework will change the way that rehabilitation services, including services for those with visual impairment, are delivered; improve accessibility, ensure that services are delivered locally, where possible, and that services are integrated, co-ordinated and provide a seamless patient journey that respects people’s potential to overcome barriers to independent living.

Higher Education Funding

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list the institutions that failed to spend their (a) Higher Education Childcare Fund, (b) undergraduate Discretionary Fund, (c) postgraduate Discretionary Fund and (d) any other discretionary funding, in each of the last three years.

Fiona Hyslop: Any unspent funds from the Higher Education Discretionary Funds are returned by institutions to SAAS. These funds are then redistributed on the basis of applications from institutions with pressure on their current discretionary funds.

  Therefore, there were no unspent funds in 2006-07 after the redistribution process completed. The redistribution of underspend from 2007-08 will take place in January 2009. The redistribution process for underspend from academic year 2008-09 will take place in January 2010.

Housing

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18285 by Stewart Maxwell on 8 December 2008, how the announcement of a combined housing allocation for Edinburgh and Glasgow for 2009-10 and 2010-11 will be affected by the re-profiling of housing expenditure.

Stewart Maxwell: A combined housing allocation has been announced for Edinburgh and Glasgow for 2009-10 and 2010-11 as this is included in the Local Government Finance Settlement.

  Decisions on the final tranche of reprofiled expenditure for 2008-09 are still to be taken.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, with reference to the £18 million brought forward under the accelerated housing programme, what the average amount paid per site has been.

Stewart Maxwell: From the two tranches of projects announced to date as part of the accelerated Affordable Housing Investment Programme, amounting to £18 million, £8.036 million is to be directed at acquisition of sites.

  This will fund 16 sites at an average purchase price of £0.502 million per site. These sites will have the capacity for around 475 new homes. This equates therefore to £0.017 million purchase price per home.

Housing

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers it acceptable that funding for medical adaptations in housing association properties has to come from the Housing Association Grant budget.

Stewart Maxwell: It is long established practice for Scottish Government to provide funding towards the cost of medical adaptations from the Affordable Housing Investment Programme. We are discussing funding arrangements with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and will also invite views from COSLA. Other relevant funding sources are Local Authority Social Work budgets (for moveable items as opposed to fixtures) and Registered Social Landlords’ own resources.

Housing

Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what its estimate is of the number of affordable houses that it will be able to commit to build between 1 December 2008 and 31 December 2009 and how many additional houses will be built as a result of reduced costs stemming from the reduction in VAT announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 24 November 2008.

Stewart Maxwell: Decisions on the 2009-10 Affordable Housing Investment Programme are still to be taken so we have not yet estimated the number of approvals likely between 1 December 2008 and 31 December 2009. For new build, VAT is payable only on professional fees and the saving due to the temporary VAT adjustment will vary depending on the proportion of professional fees incurred between the relevant dates. The maximum VAT saving per unit even assuming that all fees are incurred between 1 December 2008 and 31 December 2009 would be £259 or 0.2% of total cost.

Housing

Mary Mulligan (Linlithgow) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many householders were supported by the Mortgage to Rent scheme from January to June 2008.

Stewart Maxwell: A total of 72 households were supported through the Mortgage to Rent scheme from the beginning of January to the end of June 2008.

Housing (Scotland) Act 2006

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will issue guidance under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006.

Stewart Maxwell: The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Scheme of Assistance) Regulations 2008 were approved by the Parliament in November 2008. Statutory guidance for local authorities on those regulations and related duties under part 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 is expected to be issued shortly, with guidance on other aspects of part 2 and on local authority powers and duties in part 1 of the act expected to follow soon thereafter. All the relevant provisions in parts 1 and 2 of the act come into force on 1 April 2009, with the powers in the Housing (Scotland) Act 1987 that they replace being repealed at 31 March 2010 so that local authorities have a transitional year in which they can choose the point at which they adopt the new powers.

Livestock

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will work with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to apply a blue zone designation to Scotland, in light of its bluetongue disease-free status, in order to distinguish it from infected areas and to prevent diseased animals from coming into the country.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is very supportive of the principal of preventative vaccination in combination with protection from imports and welcomes the proposals for blue zones. However, the EU legislation is not yet in force and there remain some concerns regarding the practicalities of implementing the new zone.

  The European Commission has agreed to look again at the surveillance and trade requirements in January. The Scottish Government will be studying the detail closely and will work with other UK Administrations to determine how this development can best be used to support Scotland’s interests.

Local Government Finance

Nicol Stephen (Aberdeen South) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made in review of the local government funding formula.

John Swinney: The review of the local government distribution formula, which is being taken forward jointly with COSLA in time for the 2011-12 local government finance settlement, is underway.

Marine Environment

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is concerned by the reduction in the number of grey and common seals that inhabit Scottish waters.

Richard Lochhead: The Scottish Government is committed to the conservation of seal populations in Scotland’s marine environment.

  The common seal survey of 2006 first revealed a significant reduction in common seal numbers in the Northern Isles (i.e. Orkney and Shetland) and in the Firth of Tay. There was no comparable reduction in common seal numbers in the Outer Hebrides or in the Moray Firth. The Scottish Government is awaiting the results of the common seal survey for 2007.

  In March 2007, in light of our concerns about the decline in common seal numbers, Scottish ministers introduced seal conservation orders covering Shetland, Orkney and most of the east coast of Scotland to provide additional protection for common seals in the affected areas.

  I understand that preliminary scientific analyses suggest it is unlikely that any single factor is responsible for the reduction in common seal numbers. The Scottish Government has instituted a major research programme to establish the proximate causes of the reduction in common seal numbers.

  Surveys of grey seal numbers have not identified any declines in the national population. The Scottish Government is awaiting the results of the survey for 2007.

Marine Environment

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will introduce measures to prevent the shooting of lactating seals.

Richard Lochhead: The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 already provides for close seasons during the breeding periods to protect mothers and pups.

People with Learning Difficulties

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps are being taken to establish good practice in consulting service users with learning disabilities prior to tendering of their existing services taking place.

John Swinney: The Scottish Government continues to address best practice in consulting with service users.

  The Scottish Procurement Directorate issued guidance in August 2008 which stated that, prior to tendering, "Contracting authorities should have a strategy for the procurement of social care services which recognises the need to maintain the quality and continuity of services and addresses the concerns of vulnerable service users and their relatives". The guidance is available on the Scottish Government’s website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/116601/0065310.pdf.

  The Scottish Public Procurement Toolkit provides best practice guidance on the development of procurement strategies and emphasises the importance of involving key stakeholders and service users. The toolkit is also available on the Scottish Government’s website at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Government/Procurement/Resources/SPDToolkit.

  The Changing Lives User and Carer Forum published a report on Citizen Leadership earlier this year which defines the principles and standards of citizen leadership and sets out the role of citizens in using their power and influence to make decisions about services. The report is available at:

  http://www.socialworkscotland.org.uk/resources/pub/B55231_Citizen%20Leadership.pdf.

People with Learning Difficulties

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discussions it has had with local authorities on establishing common practice in consulting service users with learning disabilities prior to tendering their existing services.

John Swinney: The Scottish Procurement Directorate have held discussions with the Association of Directors of Social Work, COSLA and Scotland Excel, the centre of procurement expertise for local authorities, on the conduct of tendering exercises for social care services. These discussions will inform the development of guidance for local authorities which establishes best practice in consulting service users

People with Learning Difficulties

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is taking to involve people with learning disabilities, other vulnerable adults and, where appropriate, their carers or advocates in the establishment of good practice in consulting service users in the procurement process.

John Swinney: The Scottish Procurement Directorate will consult key stakeholders, including service users and, where appropriate, their carers or advocates, to ensure that their views are taken into account and inform the additional guidance. The Learning Disability Alliance Scotland have been asked to contribute to this work.

People with Learning Difficulties

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what support is being given to local authorities and voluntary organisations to establish good practice in consulting service users with learning disabilities before any decision is taken to tender or retender or during the tender specification process itself.

John Swinney: The Scottish Procurement Directorate guidance of August 2008 makes clear that, before tendering a service, contracting authorities should develop a strategy which addresses the concerns of those who use or will use the service. Consultation with service users prior to drawing up the tender specification is essential in order to ensure that the service meets users’ requirements and that their views inform how it should be delivered.

Pharmacists

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will allow community pharmacists to access patients’ healthcare records.

Nicola Sturgeon: Community pharmacists have already requested that they are given the authority to access their patient’s electronic emergency care summary records. Work is underway to give careful consideration to the possibilities around extending both the users of this system, and the information it contains. While community pharmacists will be considered within this exercise, it should be pointed out that there is already a facility in place for when patients are not known to a community pharmacy and therefore have no medication record to hand. An example would be a patient on holiday who has forgotten to bring their medication. The facility involves a special phone line to NHS 24 pharmacists, who are already authorised to consult the emergency care summary and are able to discuss the case with their community pharmacist colleagues.

  There are no plans to give community pharmacists access to patient records beyond what is described above.

Planning

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the reasons are for the absense in the Scottish Planning Policy document of targets or timescales for the determination of planning applications by planning authorities.

Ms Wendy Alexander (Paisley North) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of Scottish Planning Policy 1 being superseded by Scottish Planning Policy, what the reasons are for the absence of timescales for the processing of planning applications, particularly large applications.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Planning Policy (SPP) sets out the government’s priorities for planning and key policy issues rather than performance. The government intends to promote the use of processing agreements for major or national planning applications made under the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act which will link the period for determination more closely to the circumstances of each case. Where no processing agreement is in place, statutory periods for determining planning applications will remain. Accordingly, the reference to performance targets, previously set out in SPP1, was not included in the recent SPP.

  From March this year, and annually thereafter, planning authorities will prepare improvement plans as part of their commitment to delivering planning reform. Following the Crerar review, and in line with the government’s commitment to the simplification of the public sector, the government wishes to see a more proportionate and coherent approach to the scrutiny of public services, involving fewer organisations, less duplication and less bureaucracy.

Rail Network

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons the Leven to Thornton rail link project was not in the Scottish Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) has recommended 29 transport interventions over the next 20 years that will let us plan for the delivery of an efficient, integrated transport network fit for the 21st century.

  The Leven to Thornton rail link project was considered as part of the STPR. However, it was not included in the final package of recommended interventions as it was found that it would only provide benefits at a local and regional level.

Rail Network

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider providing funds to deliver the Leven to Thornton rail link project.

Stewart Stevenson: As I announced on 10 December 2008, the delivery of the Forth Crossing is the strategic transport priority for Scotland which will dominate our investment programme until its opening in 2016. Alongside this, we will deliver rail interventions such as the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme, improvements to the Highland Main Line and improvements between Aberdeen and Inverness.

  The Levenmouth Feasibility Study was appraised during the Strategic Transport Project Review process, but was not determined as a priority for implementation as the benefits are focused at a local and regional level.

  We will continue to monitor the work of SESTrans on this project.

Rail Services

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will end any fare discrimination against single rail journeys and rail passengers who do not return the same day.

Stewart Stevenson: Every journey has at least either a day return or period return as well as a single fare depending on the nature of the journey and typical journey pattern. There are no plans to change this general arrangement.

Recycling

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons the definition of recycling in clause 52(4) of the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill includes recovery and re-use.

Richard Lochhead: For reasons of brevity and convenience. The use of the generic term "recycling", defined to include recovery and re-use, implies neither a preference for recycling as defined in the Waste Framework Directive over "recovery" and "re-use" defined there, nor the contrary.

Road Accidents

John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any accidents or injuries were reported on the A87 on Skye on Friday 5 December 2008 and whether the road was adequately gritted that morning.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland holds information about personal injury accidents on the trunk road network. This information is provided by the police and takes approximately three months to be verified and submitted. At present, Transport Scotland has no accident data for the A87 on Skye on 5 December 2008.

  The A87 was salted by Scotland TranServ in accordance with the winter maintenance plan for the North West Operating Company area and this included one treatment on the evening of 4 December 2008 and three treatments on 5 December 2008.

Roads

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which organisation is responsible for clearing snow and ice from the pavements in the High Street in Langholm, along the A7 trunk road.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is responsible for overseeing the management and maintenance of the trunk road network. Winter maintenance on the A7 in Langholm, including the pavements in the High Street, is carried out by BEAR Scotland Ltd. The requirements for winter maintenance are set out in Schedule 7 Part 2 of their contract with the Scottish Ministers. The detailed operational requirements for winter maintenance on particular trunk routes is set out in BEAR’s annual winter maintenance plan for the south east unit. The contract and BEAR’s 2008-09 winter maintenance plan is available on or by link from the Transport Scotland website: www.transportscotland.gov.uk .

Roads

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place for the winter maintenance of the A701 between Dumfries and Moffat.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is responsible for overseeing the management and maintenance of the trunk road network. Winter maintenance on the A701 between Dumfries and the A74(M) at Beattock is carried out by Amey. The requirements for winter maintenance are set out in Schedule 7 Part 2 of their contract with the Scottish ministers. The detailed operational requirements for winter maintenance on particular trunk routes is set out in Amey’s annual winter maintenance plan. The contract and Amey’s 2008-09 winter maintenance plan is available on the Transport Scotland website www.transportscotland.gov.uk Responsibility for winter maintenance on the A701 between the A74(M) and Moffat lies with Dumfries and Galloway Council.

Roads

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place for the winter maintenance of the A7 between Gretna and Langholm.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is responsible for overseeing the management and maintenance of the trunk road network. Winter maintenance on the A7 between the National Border and Langholm is carried out by BEAR Scotland Ltd. The requirements for winter maintenance are set out in Schedule 7 Part 2 of their contract with the Scottish ministers. The detailed operational requirements for winter maintenance on particular trunk routes is set out in BEAR’s annual winter maintenance plan for the south east unit. The contract and BEAR’s 2008-09 winter maintenance plan is available on or by link from the Transport Scotland website www.transportscotland.gov.uk Responsibility for winter maintenance on the A7 in England lies with Cumbria County Council.

Roads

Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what arrangements are in place for the winter maintenance of the A76 between Dumfries and Sanquhar.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is responsible for overseeing the management and maintenance of the trunk road network. Winter maintenance on the A76 between Dumfries and Sanquhar is carried out by Amey. The requirements for winter maintenance are set out in Schedule 7 Part 2 of their contract with the Scottish ministers. The detailed operational requirements for winter maintenance on particular trunk routes is set out in Amey’s annual winter maintenance plan. The contract and Amey’s 2008-09 winter maintenance plan is available on the Transport Scotland website www.transportscotland.gov.uk .

Roads

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when construction of the Inverness trunk link route will commence and how much it will cost, broken down by source of funding.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review has recommended 29 transport interventions over the next 20 years that will let us plan for the delivery of an efficient, integrated transport network fit for the 21st century.

  Included in the scheme to upgrade the A96 to dual carriageway between Inverness and Nairn is a new link connecting the A96 and the A9 (south of Inverness). This new link would provide relief by allowing traffic travelling between the A9 and A96 to avoid the Raigmore Interchange. Economic analysis suggests that it offers good value for money and would contribute significantly towards the strategic objectives of the National Transport Strategy.

Roads

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why measures to tackle congestion at the Haudagain roundabout in Aberdeen do not feature in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will confirm that it does not intend to make any improvements at the Haudagain Roundabout before completion of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has given a funding commitment to road improvements at the junction of the A90 and A96 trunk roads at the Haudagain roundabout.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline its responsibilities for any future road improvements at the junction of the A90 and A96 trunk roads at the Haudagain roundabout.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when work will begin on any future road improvements at the junction of the A90 and A96 trunk roads at the Haudagain roundabout.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when work on any future road improvements at the junction of the A90 and A96 trunk roads at the Haudagain roundabout will be completed.

Lewis Macdonald (Aberdeen Central) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it intends to invest in road improvements at the junction of the A90 and A96 trunk roads at the Haudagain roundabout after detrunking the A90 in Aberdeen city.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-18527 on 17 December 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

  http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx.

Roads

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will begin phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how long it will take to complete phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will outline a timetable for phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: Upgrading the A9 remains a priority for the Scottish Government and is clearly identified as such within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) and current design work is progressing to dual the Birnam to Luncarty section.

  The STPR provides a robust framework of prioritised schemes, the delivery of which will be prioritised in each spending review.

  A timetable for undertaking the phase 1 work on the A9 upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness will therefore be developed as part of this prioritisation process.

  We have a fully committed programme of transport infrastructure investment to 2012.

  Recent improvements to the A9 have included a new flyover at Ballinluig.

Roads

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it plans to complete the dualling of the A9 between Perth and Blair Atholl by 2020.

Stewart Stevenson: Dualling the A9 remains a priority for the Scottish Government.

  The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) outlines a programme for the next 20 years. It is expected that the design and development work associated with a number of projects will be taken forward to allow early delivery within the STPR period. On the A9, design work is already progressing for the dualling of the Birnam to Luncarty section.

Roads

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to tackle traffic congestion at the Bridge of Dee in Aberdeen.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government is promoting the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route which will reduce congestion at the Bridge of Dee.

Roads

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether road improvements for the A90 and A96 around the Haudagain roundabout following de-trunking will be the responsibility of Aberdeen City Council.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates will be spent on improvements at the Haudagain roundabout.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which agencies will be responsible for funding improvements at the Haudagain roundabout.

Stewart Stevenson: Scottish ministers are committed to undertaking necessary improvements prior to handing over responsibility for the detrunked road to Aberdeen City Council. Thereafter future maintenance will be the responsibility of Aberdeen City Council.

Roads

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive which of the options in the NESTRANS consultation on improvements at the Haudagain roundabout is the Scottish Executive’s preferred one.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has not identified a preferred option in the NESTRANs study.

  The position of Scottish Ministers is that necessary improvements will be undertaken prior to handing over responsibility for the detrunked road to Aberdeen City Council.

Roads

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons the project to dual the A92 around Glenrothes was not in the Scottish Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-19005 on 8 January 2009. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/Apps2/Business/PQA/Default.aspx .

Roads

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive for what reasons the project to upgrade the Redhouse roundabout on the A92 was not in the Scottish Transport Projects Review.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider providing funds to dual the A92 around Glenrothes.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider providing funds to upgrade the Redhouse roundabout.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it considers should next be taken to secure the dualing of the A92 around Glenrothes.

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it considers should next be taken to secure an upgrade of the Redhouse roundabout on the A92.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review has recommended 29 transport interventions over the next 20 years that will let us plan for the delivery of an efficient, integrated transport network fit for the 21st century.

  Delivering the Forth Replacement Crossing is the key strategic priority for Scotland. Alongside this, we will also deliver further rail interventions such as the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme and improvements to the Highland Main Line.

  These and the remaining interventions represent the clear priorities for this government over the next 20 years and will be delivered subject to subsequent spending reviews.

  However, other interventions, including upgrading the Redhouse roundabout, could be delivered by interested parties such as regional transport partnerships, local authorities or developers, if they consider them to be viable and the proposals are consistent with strategic priorities for this trunk road route.

Roads

Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how much it estimates that businesses have lost in revenue as a result of road works in the most recent year for which figures are available, broken down by local authority area.

Stewart Stevenson: While the Scottish Government is aware that road works can have a financial impact on businesses, no estimate of the possible loss of revenue to businesses throughout Scotland has been made. This is because such an estimate could not be afforded any degree of accuracy as there could be a number of factors affecting the trading volumes of businesses of which road works is only one. In addition, road works on local roads are a matter for the appropriate local road authority.

Rural Development

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will review the fallen stock scheme.

Richard Lochhead: A review of the National Fallen Stock Scheme has already been undertaken by Mr Bob Bansback, on behalf of all the UK Rural Affairs Departments, and was completed in August 2008.

  Following discussions with ministers, the Board of the National Fallen Stock Company intends to consult stakeholder groups on possible future ownership models and structures in the early part of 2009.

Rural Development

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the anticipated overspend or underspend is on the Rural Priorities element of the Scotland Rural Development Programme.

Richard Lochhead: Spending on new projects under Rural Priorities could not begin until after the Scotland Rural Development Programme 2007-13 was approved by the European Commission earlier this year. The programme as approved fixes budgets by measure, for example those for supporting new entrants or for agri-environment payments and not by the delivery mechanism, such as Rural Priorities or Land Manager’s Options. The balance of expenditures between delivery mechanisms will be kept under review by the Scottish Government and the statutory Programme Monitoring Committee.

Rural Development

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment it has made of the recommendations of the independent review into the agricultural subsidy appeals procedure.

Richard Lochhead: I received the Report " A review of the European Union Agricultural Subsidy Appeals Procedure in Scotland" on 4 November which I have carefully considered.

  I have accepted 16 of the 17 recommendations made by the review team led by former NFU President John Kinnaird including the principle of an independent appeals procedure.

  Work has now begun on implementing the recommendations we are able to accept. I have asked officials to explore how an independent appeals process can be best delivered and to examine the options including extending the remit of an existing organisation or by part of government.

Rural Development

Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will bring forward plans to reform the agricultural subsidy appeals procedure and, if so, when.

Richard Lochhead: I set up an independent review of the EU Agricultural Subsidy appeals procedure in November 2007. Following extensive consultation and assessment of the current process I received the Report " A review of the European Union Agricultural Subsidy Appeals Procedure in Scotland" on 4 November which I have now carefully considered.

  I have accepted sixteen of the seventeen recommendations made by the review team led by former NFU President John Kinnaird including the principle of an independent appeals procedure.

  Work has now begun on implementing the recommendations we are able to accept. I have asked officials to explore how an independent appeals process can be best delivered and to examine the options including extending the remit of an existing organisation or by part of government.

  I plan to introduce changes as soon as possible in 2009.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many formal complaints or allegations of bullying the Scottish Government and its agencies have received since May 2007 and what action has been taken.

John Swinney: In the period since May 2007, there have been 10 formal complaints of bullying raised by employees of the Scottish Government and its agencies.

  These complaints were investigated under the Scottish Government’s formal dignity at work procedure. Of the 10 complaints, four complaints were established to be unfounded following investigation. The investigations into two complaints are on-going and decisions on these cases are expected very soon. In the remaining four cases, the complaints were founded and disciplinary action was taken against the members of staff found to have been responsible for the bullying.

  In seven cases, recommendations were made about management actions required to address issues that came to light as a result of the investigations into the bullying complaints.

Scottish Government Staff

George Foulkes (Lothians) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-18552 by John Swinney on 12 December 2008, how many Scottish Government staff took Monday 1 December 2008 as a holiday and what that figure represents as a percentage of its staff.

John Swinney: From the information available, approximately 6,900 staff in the Scottish Government Main bargaining unit and in the Senior Civil Service took Monday 1 December 2008 as a holiday. This represents 93% of staff.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will review the arrangements for paying travel allowances to students.

Fiona Hyslop: There are currently no plans to review the arrangements for paying travel allowances to students. Travel arrangements for higher education students will be considered within the wider context of the Scottish Government’s consultation on student support: Supporting a Smarter Scotland: A consultation on supporting learners in higher education:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2008/12/12121638/0.

  This consultation was launched on 15 December 2008 and is considering the current support arrangements for higher education students and seeking views on a number of proposals in connection with that. Responses are due by 30 April 2009.

Student Finance

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make child care support for college students an entitlement rather than it being provided through a discretionary fund.

Fiona Hyslop: Full-time higher education lone parent students currently have an entitlement to apply for Higher Education Lone Parent Grant and Higher Education Lone Parent Child care Grant.

  The Scottish Government currently has no plans to make other child care funding available through the discretionary funds a legal right for college and university students.

  The Scottish Government published, on 15 December 2008, a consultation on student support for higher education. The consultation will consider the current support arrangements for higher education students and seek views on a number of proposals in connection with that.

  The Scottish Government published on 10 December 2008 its Early Years and Early Intervention Framework which recognises that the cost and accessibility of child care is a major concern for parents in Scotland. At present, child care support for parents is a reserved matter, and is provided via the child care vouchers and child tax credit schemes. In the framework, we set out a desire for a single, accessible and more progressive system of supporting the costs of child care.

Tourism

John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what it is doing to promote tourism in the Borders in 2009.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Borders is marketed by VisitScotland using the fantastic assets which it can offer its visitors. These include mountain biking and adventure sports, golf, touring, walking and other outdoors pursuits, food and drink, nature, local events, festivals and history and heritage – the list goes on and on. These great assets are promoted across the UK and overseas by VisitScotland in a number of ways, such as websites, print, direct mail and PR activity. Some of this focuses entirely on the Borders, e.g. the Borders Visitor Guide, and the dedicated visit borders website, while others feature the Borders as part of the wider promotion of Scotland.

  The Borders also features in the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations. The "Return to the Ridings"; "Clan Scott Society Gathering" and "In the Footsteps of Reivers" are examples of events which are receiving funding support and being publicised globally as part of the Homecoming Initiative.

  The member will be particularly pleased to know that Homecoming has been the subject of our largest ever mailshot in the USA, letting 140,000 potential visitors know about the many events and excellent welcome they will receive in all parts of Scotland.

Transport

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when phase 1 of project 23 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review is to be completed.

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive when phase 2 of project 23 of the Strategic Transport Projects Review is to be completed.

Stewart Stevenson: I gave a very clear message on the prioritisation of measures within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR). Delivering the Forth Crossing is the strategic transport priority for Scotland. Alongside this, we will deliver rail interventions such as the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme, improvements to the Highland Main Line and improvements between Aberdeen and Inverness. We expect to have delivered these interventions by 2017.

  We will prioritise the remaining schemes such as project 23, in accordance with our investment hierarchy of maintaining and safely operating existing assets, making best use of existing capacity, and targeted infrastructure improvements subject to funds becoming available.

Transport

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive why the Aberdeen Crossrail project does not feature in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) has recommended 29 transport schemes over the next 20 years that will let us plan for the delivery of an efficient, integrated transport network fit for the 21st century.

  The recommended schemes include proposed rail enhancements between Aberdeen and Inverness and between Aberdeen and the Central Belt that will significantly improve connections between the cities and deliver much of the benefits of the Aberdeen Crossrail project both at better value to the taxpayer and contributing significantly towards the strategic objectives of the National Transport Strategy.

Transport

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how much of the Strategic Transport Projects Review is predicated on the Scottish Government receiving an increased capital budget from HM Treasury.

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which Strategic Transport Projects Review projects will not be taken forward if the Scottish Government does not receive a £2 billion increased capital budget from HM Treasury.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) itself is not a funding document, and, as such, does not specifically identify funding sources or propose new revenue streams.

Transport

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial arrangements it has put in place to fund the projects listed in the Scottish Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) itself is not a funding document, and, as such, does not specifically identify funding sources or propose new revenue streams.

  The delivery of the schemes listed in the STPR will be prioritised in future spending reviews. Delivery of the Forth Replacement Crossing, the Highland Mainline Improvements and the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme are early priorities.

Transport

Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list of Strategic Transport Projects Review projects ordered by priority.

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the 29 projects in the Strategic Transport Projects Review are listed in order of priority and, if not, what the priority order is.

Stewart Stevenson: Delivering the Forth Replacement Crossing is the strategic priority for Scotland. Alongside this, we will also deliver further rail interventions such as the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme and improvements to the Highland Main Line.

  The Strategic Transport Projects Review provides a robust framework of prioritised schemes, the delivery of which will be prioritised in each spending review.

Transport

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is to dual the A9 between Perth and Blair Atholl.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is to provide grade separated junctions on the A9 between Keir Roundabout and south of Broxden Roundabout.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of grade separation at the Broxden and Inveralmond roundabouts.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated cost is of (a) climbing lanes, (b) overtaking sections and (c) junction improvements between Blair Atholl and Inverness.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what next steps it will take to ensure the beginning of phase 1 work on the A9 Upgrade from Dunblane to Inverness as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: The costs identified within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) reflect the likely range of funding required to deliver the recommended interventions.

  In STPR Report 4, the first phase of the A9 upgrading from Dunblane to Inverness is expected to have a cost in the range £500 million to £1bn. This is broken down as Dunblane – Perth £100 million to £250 million, Broxden and Inveralmond junctions £50 million to £100 million, partial dualling (Perth – Blair Atholl) and 2+1 sections £500 million to £1 billion.

  These costs will be refined as the more detailed design and development work associated with each intervention moves forward with the aim of reaching a final estimate.

Transport

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will begin the phase 1 work of the Highland Mainline Rail Improvements project as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how long it will take to complete the phase 1 work of the Highland Mainline Rail Improvements project as outlined in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: Transport Scotland is currently progressing feasibility work in relation to the upgrade of the Highland Main line. The outcome of this work will inform the timescales for implementation of the improvement works.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the timescale and estimated completion dates are for each of the 29 projects in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: Delivering the Forth Replacement Crossing is the key strategic priority for Scotland. Alongside this, we will also deliver further rail interventions such as the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme and improvements to the Highland Main Line.

  We expect to have delivered these projects by 2017.

  The remaining projects will be prioritised in accordance with the investment hierarchy of maintaining, managing and safely operating existing assets, then optimising and finally targeting infrastructure improvements where there are gaps to the road and rail networks. They will be taken forward for delivery as funding becomes available at future spending reviews.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether every project in the Strategic Transport Projects Review will be delivered by 2022.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review has recommended 29 transport projects over the next 20 years. The government is committed to delivering these with timetabling and funding determined by successive spending reviews.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Strategic Transport Projects Review refers to a 10 or a 20-year period, as suggested in the summary document.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review supports the Scottish Government’s purpose of promoting sustainable economic growth by planning the next 20 years of transport investment for Scotland’s rail and trunk road networks.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what the estimated costs are for each of the 29 projects in the Strategic Transport Projects Review in outturn prices and including VAT.

Stewart Stevenson: The costs identified within the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) reflect the likely range of funding required to deliver the recommended interventions.

  These costs will be refined as the more detailed design and development work associated with each intervention moves forward with the aim of reaching a final estimate.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 29 projects in the Strategic Transport Projects Review will utilise the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT), and how the SFT will be employed in each case.

Stewart Stevenson: At this early stage, it is not possible to say how many of the 29 projects in the STPR will utilise the Scottish Future Trust (SFT).

  However, where capital investment is at a premium, it becomes even more important that we secure maximum value from the public purse from the resources that are available. In these circumstances, the SFT will be involved in the consideration of options, to improve value and impact from investment.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive under what funding mechanism each of the 29 projects in the Strategic Transport Projects Review will be brought forward.

Stewart Stevenson: The STPR itself is not a funding document, and, as such, does not specifically identify funding sources or propose new revenue streams.

  However, it is possible that a number of funding mechanisms may be used in delivering some of the 29 projects, including arrangements other than conventional funding.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive under which term of office each of the 29 projects listed in the Strategic Transport Projects Review is expected to be delivered.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) has recommended 29 transport schemes over the next 20 years that will let us plan for the delivery of an efficient, integrated transport network fit for the 21st century.

  The STPR provides a robust framework of prioritised schemes, the delivery of which will be prioritised in each spending review.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any of the 29 projects listed in the Strategic Transport Projects Review will be completed before 2011 and, if so, which projects and when they will be completed.

Stewart Stevenson: No.

Transport

Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive which of the 29 projects listed in the Strategic Transport Projects Review are underway and when work on these projects began.

Stewart Stevenson: Delivering the Forth Replacement Crossing is the key strategic transport priority for Scotland. Alongside this, we will also deliver further rail interventions such as the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvements Programme and improvements to the Highland Main Line.

  Work on these transport priorities has been on-going for some time now and they are all progressing through their respective delivery processes.

  In addition, upgrading the A9 remains a priority for this Government and design work has been progressing to dual the Luncarty to Birnam section.

Transport

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider funding transport projects not in the Scottish Transport Projects Review.

Stewart Stevenson: The Strategic Transport Projects Review has considered the transport infrastructure requirements necessary to deliver the key strategic outcomes arising from the National Transport Strategy which in turn, support the Scottish Government’s economic strategy. The recommendations focus on the strategic road and rail systems between key locations across Scotland.

  Other proposals, where the benefits are focused at a local or more regional level, should be considered by the relevant local authority, in conjunction with their regional transport partnership.

Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body

Scottish Parliament Building

Bill Aitken (Glasgow) (Con): To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body whether it is satisfied that the level of illumination in the public part of the parliamentary building is sufficient to comply with health and safety legislation.

Alexander Johnstone: The lighting in the main hall has been reconfigured recently and this has dramatically improved the standard in this area.

  Additionally, a survey of the garden lobby lighting has been carried out. This has shown that the light levels in some areas are marginally below the desired level.

  It is intended to address this during a planned improvement of the lighting for energy efficiency which we expect will take place during the summer recess.